Andrew Goodman, the designer behind the highly lauded San Antonio restaurant concepts Battalion, Feast, Rebelle and Haunt, agrees. “A restaurant can be visually appealing in the design phase, but it needs to be functional when guests pour in,” says Goodman. “The focus of a restaurant is often the kitchen and dining area, so the waiting area can sometimes come as an afterthought. However, it’s the face of your restaurant. It’s the first welcoming space people see, so make it big enough to be comfortable. The last thing you want to do is pack in waiting guests like cattle. It sets an edgy tone for the entire meal.”

Creating an amazing bar design is anything but simple. There are thousands of factors to juggle – What will your restaurant, bar or cafe’s style be like? How can you make the interior as beautiful and decorative as possible without disrupting the staff’s workflow? Will safety regulations even allow your grand designs to take form? And if you plan to open your own business, these examples will surely inspire you.

Heating and Ventilation. An important (and expensive) consideration for any restaurant, either new or existing, is heating and cooling. Restaurant kitchens put out a lot of heat and smells and smoke. Make sure that your commercial range has proper ventilation, with the right kind of hood and fans.

Ruben prefers a bolder selfie wall: “I see a lot of hotels and restaurants leaning toward eye-catching installations that guests use to memorialize a visit on social media. There’s lots of catchy phrases in neon, heavy patterns in wallpapers, and big bold colorways these days. It’s all super fun for the guest that wants to share their visit and, in turn, great marketing for the restaurant.”